Sport
Pipped by post
By Tim Asher

Edition 4908, 17 May, 2007
 
IN SUPPORT: LAC Matt Irvine from RAAF Base Amberley ranges up in support of a team mate about to be tackled by the Army defence at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Photo by LAC Alan Bencke
 
A missed goal which hit the upright during Air Force’s late resurgence against Army probably cost it at least a draw in their rugby league encounter at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on April 20.

Army’s 24-22 win allowed it to continue its dominance in the code after Air Force had come within a whisker of claiming the code’s ‘holy grail’.

Army led 12-6 at half-time lead, despite a disallowed try, and looked comfortable when ahead 24-12 with about five minutes to go.

But an attempted intercept went astray for Army in its own red zone to give Air Force’s CPL Jeremy Barnes his second try with an outstretched hand over the line. The conversion by captain CPL Michael Green hit the right-hand upright and missed by “a coat of paint”.

That ultimately retained the trophy for Army after Air Force scored again and converted in the remaining three minutes when CPL Green scooped up the ball from a scrum to touch down before converting his own try.

Air Force coach FSGT Aaron Smith was “happy with the guys, scoring four tries all”.

“The boys showed some guts there with the comeback,” FSGT Smith said.

Service Chiefs CA LTGEN Peter Leahy and CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd joined patron of Defence rugby league LTGEN David Hurley to cheer on their Services.

Fullback PTE Neil Feather opened Army’s account when he dummied out wide and cut infield to score under the posts before converting for a 6-0 lead.

Air Force counterpunched with a converted try on the right wing to LAC Darryl West out wide after an overlap. CPL Green made it 6-all with his conversion.

Air Force second rower LAC Grant Reibel, a former NRL player with the North Queensland Cowboys, continued the charge up the middle for the Blue Boys but Army’s gutsy defence repulsed the onslaught.

Army’s scrambling defence in the centres halted an Air Force backline movement that looked certain to result in a try on the left.  Moments later they attacked the right wing but were held out again, being tackled over the corner post by winger PTE Josh Fuller.

Army responded to reach within 10m of the line but a dropped ball late in the tackle count ended the charge.

After another change in possession, Army received a penalty from an infringement in the play the ball, and winger CPL Tim Johnson darted into the corner for a four-pointer on the last tackle of the ensuing set. PTE Feather’s conversion hit the crossbar and bounced over for a 12-6 lead before Army had a try disallowed soon after because of a forward pass.

Neither side dropped its intensity in the second half, with both trading blows and employing a short-kicking game before Army centre PTE Joel Foster and Air Force fullback LAC Jay Brookfield were involved in a confrontation at 26 minutes, which landed both in the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

Army could not convert the ensuing tap penalty into points.

After an Air Force downfield raid and a penalty, the Blues captain slid a beautiful ball from his hip to CPL Barnes, who crossed near the posts. Scores were level when CPL Green, who played Queensland Cup for the Toowoomba Clydesdales, converted.